SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a chargesheet against 40 residents of the Union Territory, most of them hailing from Pulwama district, for allegedly crossing the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan for illegal arms and terror training and subsequently failing to return to India.
Charges and Allegations
According to police officials, the chargesheet (challan) was presented before a competent court on Sunday by a specialised investigation wing. The case has been registered under the Egress and Internal Movement (Control) Ordinance (EIMCO), a law that governs and penalises unauthorised cross-border movement.
Investigators allege that the accused individuals crossed into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) mainly during the 1990s and early 2000s, where they received training in handling weapons and carrying out subversive activities. Police say the individuals did not return to India and are suspected to have joined or assisted Pakistan-based militant organisations.
“The accused are involved in activities prejudicial to national security and are believed to have undergone terror training across the border,” a senior police officer said.
Legal Consequences and Action Ahead
Police sources said proceedings under the EIMCO Act would allow authorities to declare the accused as proclaimed offenders, enabling law-enforcement agencies to:
- Seek Interpol assistance to trace and apprehend them
- Conduct legal proceedings in absentia
- Attach or confiscate properties owned by the accused in Jammu and Kashmir
Officials described the move as part of a broader effort to dismantle the terror ecosystem and pursue individuals linked to banned outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
19-Year-Old Suicide Bomber Arrested
In a separate counter-terrorism operation, security forces have arrested a 19-year-old youth in Kashmir who was allegedly preparing to carry out a suicide attack, police said.
The suspect was apprehended following specific intelligence inputs and was found in possession of explosive material, raising fears of an imminent attack. Preliminary interrogation suggests the youth had been radicalised and groomed for a fidayeen (suicide) mission by militant handlers.
“This arrest prevented a major terror incident,” a police official said, adding that further investigations are underway to identify handlers, local facilitators and communication channels involved in the plot.
Security Focus Intensified
Security agencies said the two developments highlight both the long-term legacy of cross-border militancy and the ongoing threat of local radicalisation, particularly among youth.
Authorities reiterated that counter-terror operations, financial tracking, and legal action under special laws would continue as part of efforts to ensure stability and security in the region.
